Brandon

Mebane

Now 35, Mebane was released by the Chargers way back in the offseason and never latched on elsewhere. The 85th overall pick of the 2007 draft, Mebane spent the first nine years of his career in Seattle before a four-year stint with the Chargers where he served as a team captain all four seasons. A run-plugging nose tackle, Mebane recorded 18.5 career sacks, for fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, one interception, and 63 tackles for loss. Mebane started 176 career contests.

Los Angeles also released veteran LB Thomas Davis to clear cap space ahead of the free agency period. Mebane has spent the last four seasons with the organization after nine years with the Seahawks dating back to his 2007 rookie season. The veteran has played a full 16-game season just once over his last six years and should slide in as a rotational piece on the defensive line to close out his long NFL career.

Both Justin Jones (shoulder) and Mebane (knee) have been sidelined in Los Angeles’ last three games, allowing Derrick Henry, David Montgomery, Aaron Jones, and Jamaal Williams to total 59/265/2 rushing and 4.49 YPC in that stretch. Even Mebane’s limited presence would help the Chargers against Josh Jacobs and Oakland’s powerhouse rushing attack Thursday night.

A tragic personal matter kept Mebane away from the team for four games last season, but he remained a solid rotational option along the defensive line. The 34-year-old will return to a similar role this year.

Gut-wrenching stuff. Mebane’s daughter, Makenna, was born premature with trisomy 13, a very rare defect. Her prognosis was always discouraging, but it doesn’t make things any easier on the 34-year-old and his family. Mebane was away from the team for several weeks during the season but plans to play this week in New England. Our condolences go out to Mebane and his family.

Mebane was back on the practice field Friday after sitting out on Thursday. “Mebane made it back,” Carroll said. “He’s in good shape.” There was concern because Mebane had missed four games in 2010 because of a calf injury and one game in 2009.

As usual, the Chargers are amongst the most injured teams in the league. A top-notch run stopper, Mebane had been doing his job. Signed to a three-year, $13.5 million deal last March, Mebane should be back at his $3.5 million salary next season.

There was some light chatter that Mebane would be cut this offseason due to his $5.5 million salary and coming off hamstring surgery. But Seattle will keep its interior run-plugger for the final year of his contract. Mebane is expected to be ready for the start of training camp after sitting out much of the spring.

“I don’t know what that timeline is for him to be back to full speed, but he’s way ahead of schedule,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He’s looking great.” Five months removed from surgery, Mebane is expected to be ready for training camp.

Mebane hasn’t put his helmet back on since coming off the field. His backup at right defensive tackle is David King.